Swingletree-hook.



J. B. JOHNSON. SWINGLETREE HOOK. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 16, 1909.

Ifatented Apr. 12,1910.

UNTTED STATES PATENT GT TTQE.

JOHN B. JOHNSON, OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON.

SWINGLETBEE-HOOK.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN B. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bellingham, in the county of VVh'atcom and State of ashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Swingletree-Hooks, of which the following is a speci fication.

This invention relates to whiflle tree hooks, and is designed to provide a simple inexpensive device of this class which will be positive and reliable in its operation, and which further will operate directly from the seat of the vehicle.

It contemplates in its construction a means whereby the trace may be entirely released from the rigid or stationary member due to the formation of the rotatable memher.

With the above and other objects in view this invention consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts all as hereinafter more fully described, specifically claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of a whiftletree hook constructed in accordance with this invention, showing the device in the act of releasing the trace or tug; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, the parts being locked, and Fig. 3 is an end elevation with the washer or cap removed, showing the parts of the device broken away.

Throughout the following detail description and on the several figures of the drawings similar parts are referred to by like reference characters.

Reference being had more particularly to the drawings 1 indicates the ferrule pro vided with the opening 2 adapted to receive the extremity of the \Vlllfl'lQ-tlQG. A rigid sationary hook 3 is formed integrally with the ferrule 1 and is so constructed that the outer extremity 7 thereof extends in a direction parallel to that occupied by the Whittle tree. The outer terminal of the ferrule 1 has a shoulder 4 upon which is loosely mounted the rotatable ferrule 5 having formed thereon the locking member or arm 6, said locking member when in its operative position receiving in the recess 8 at its upper extremity the outer terminal of the hook 3, thus preventing any displacement of the same. The shoulder a is reduced at its outer extremity to form a housing for the spring 9 between the rotatable ferrule 5 and the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 16, 1909.

Patented Apr. 12, 1910.

Serial No. 522,95?.

said ferrule 1, and is provided with a longitudinal slot 10 in which one extremity of the spring 9 is retained. The opposite terminal of the spring 9 is secured in one of a series of notches 11 formed on the outer side of the rotatable ferrule 5, a plurality of said notches being provided in order that the tension of the spring may be regulated.

A bore 12 extends through the entire device and forms a means whereby the bolt 13 bearing against the washer 1 1 secures the entire device firmly to the extremity of the whiiile-tree. This bolt and washer retains the spring in its operative position and as a result prevents any displacement of the hook as has heretofore been experienced in devices of this character.

A spiral cam 15 is formed on the rotatable ferrule 5 adjacent the locking arm 6 and is so located that upon rotating the ferrule 5 the former engages the trace and due to its construction forces the same from engagement with the hook 3. This construction makes it possible to connect the arm 6 to the dash board of the vehicle by a chain or other suitable member passing through the opening or orifice 16 in the arm 6, thus enabling the driver to rotate the ferrule 5 and as a result release the trace. This advantage is greatly to be desired in the case of a runaway horse, promoting the safety of the oc cupants of the vehicle and increasing the durability of hooks of this character.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a whifiie-tree hook, the combination with a rigid stationary ferrule adapted to receive the extremity of the Whittle-tree, an L-shaped hook formed on said ferrule, a rotatable ferrule mounted on the outer extremity of said stationary ferrule, having a locking member formed thereon adapted to be in constant engagement with said L- shaped hook, and means comprising a spiral cam formed on said rotatable ferrule for releasing the trace or tug upon the partial rotation of said rotatable ferrule, and means whereby the entire device may be removably secured to the whifl'le-tree.

2. In a Whittle-tree hook of the class de scribed, the combination with a stationary ferrule having formed thereon an L-shaped hook, and a shoulder at its outer terminal, a ferrule rotatably mounted on said shoulder having a spring housed therebetween a locking member or bar formed on said ferrule adapted to be retained by said spring in constant engagement With said L-shaped hook, a spiral cam adjacent said locking member adapted to entirely release the tug or trace from said L-shaped hook upon the partial rotation of the rotatable ferrule, and means comprising a bolt extending through the entire device for retaining the spring in its operative position and removably secur ing the entire device to the Whittle-tree.

8. In a WllliilQ-tIGG hook of the class described, the combination with a stationary rigid ferrule having formed thereon an L- shaped hook, and having its outer extremity reduced to form a pair of shoulders, the outer of said reduced portions having a longitudinally extending slot therein, a rotatable ferrule mounted on the larger of said reduced portions having formed theresecured in said slot While the other is retained at the outer extremity of said rotatable ferrule, and means whereby the trace or tug may be released entirely from said Lshaped hook on the partial rotation of said rotatable ferrule, and means comprising a bolt extending through the entire device for removably securing the same to the Whitlie-tree.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN B. JOHNSON.

Witnesses CYRUs REED, FRANK LOPAS. 

